Members of the Kutztown Rotary Farmer's Night Committee meet at the Dalton Biehl farm in Maxatawny Township. From left are Robert J. Hobaugh, Jean Boyer, Bill Bender, Nancy Hildenbrand and Dalton Biehl.

Standing in his dairy barn, Dalton Biehl explained to members of the Kutztown Rotary Club how his robotic milker works.

He pointed to a post where cows line up to have their backs scratched. The group laughed.

On the tour were several members of Rotary's Farmer's Night committee, a group that organized a special dinner for farmers held the night before. About 115 guests attended.

The tour was Biehl's way of thanking the Rotarians.

The dinner is a tradition for the Kutztown Rotary.

"Farming and farm-related businesses are the biggest part of our community," said Rotary member Bob Hobaugh. "We say thanks to the farmers who put food on our tables and help keep our economy going and are tremendous members of our community."

Farmer's Night was started in 1947 by Rotary members Wilmer Beck and Clarence Dietrich, said Rotary member Nancy Hildenbrand.

Beck's family ran one of the local feed mills, and Dietrich was a farmer.

Hildenbrand grew up listening to her father, Rotary member Hugo Weber, tell stories about the dinners.

"(He talked) about getting together, and I think a lot of the Rotarians took pride in it," she said. "They would sponsor farmers."

The idea of sponsoring a farmer by paying for his dinner is a tradition the Farmer's Nights still uphold. In fact, Hobaugh has sponsored Biehl for nearly 20 years' worth of dinners.

This year's dinner included speeches by state Agriculture Secretary George Greig and state Sen. Judy Schwank. Past dinners have included live music or a comedian.

Special to this year's event was the inclusion of the Society of Farm Women of Pennsylvania, Hobaugh said.

"I think it's a good idea because we recognize that farmers include men and women, and that women have an important role in farming and in farm life," Hobaugh said.

Rotary District 7430 Gov. Tony Jannetta, praised the Kutztown chapter's dinner, saying it exemplified one of the service organization's goals. The district represents Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties.

"We like to encourage service above self," Jannetta said. "Farmers are a big part of the community. They do good things and help others."

For members of the committee, it's a treat to meet the farmers year after year.

"For me, the greatest part of this evening is to see people who are hardworking folks come out and have some fun," Hobaugh said. "It brings folks together who wouldn't have the opportunity to see each other."

Biehl said he felt honored to attend the dinners and that he looks forward to the event every year.